Hoffenheim (H) Post Match Thread

[asahartford1]

Walker.

Strange half for Walker. Positionally and decision making not up to his usual standard.

 

[Rolee]

Strange half for Walker. Positionally and decision making not up to his usual standard.

I think he's carrying something, hasn't looked right for a while.

I did think his introduction helped us last night, our shape/balance seemed more secure despite his couple of brain farts.

 

[aguero93:20]

Strange half for Walker. Positionally and decision making not up to his usual standard.

Looks knackered.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

That Joelinton impressed me. Good feet and quick for a big man. Potentially a different option up front?

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

City's future is in safe hands with brilliant young players like Foden and Laporte down the spine. They were both superb last night.

 

[St.Pauli support]

Was impressed with Gundo's performance, some of his passing was superb but i'm not sure the way he plays the pivot helps with the dynamic of the team. If Pep and the team can help him with positional awareness like Fernandinho has for covering the half spaces, knowing when to cover when your team mate has moved up, then i think we have a very viable solution there. His passing is better than Fernandinho's, i think he could control a game much like Basquets does for Barca, but he needs to develop into the positiion. Whether we have the time to allow him to develop is another thing.

Gundogan said post match to German TV he had to fill the DM last night
which wasn't so easy for him as he likes to play more on the front foot.

He also is aware about is age and the limitation of a further development.
He knows his strengths and how to help the team.

I think he is a very skilled player and can fill DM against many PL sides,
but his defensive abilities are just not good enough for top sides.
No news really. Great to have him as a backup.
Our quality on the bench (without injuries) often makes the difference.

 

[SebastianBlue]

I think he's carrying something, hasn't looked right for a while.

I did think his introduction helped us last night, our shape/balance seemed more secure despite his couple of brain farts.

Complete conjecture of course, but to me it looks like he may have a minor issue with his back.

The way he is currently moving (and specifically, running) reminds me of when I tweaked my back a few years ago. It was just enough to bring tightness and discomfort when I played, which took away 10-15% of my athletic ability and made me look a bit rigid as I moved around. You can take pain medication to mitigate the discomfort but that “tightness” usually still remains until the injury fully heals or is dealt with.

He seems to have some rigidity and isn’t moving as freely as he did last year. I think I have seen him very briefly put his hands on his lower back after long or mazy runs several times (especially when tracking back to defend), doing a slight stretch that you have a tendency to do naturally when your lumbar muscles feel tight.

 

[Rolee]

Complete conjecture of course, but to me it looks like he may have a minor issue with his back.

The way he is currently moving (and specifically, running) reminds me of when I tweaked my back a few years ago. It was just enough to bring tightness and discomfort when I played, which took away 10-15% of my athletic ability and made me look a bit rigid as I moved around. You can take pain medication to mitigate the discomfort but that “tightness” usually still remains until the injury fully heals or is dealt with.

He seems to have some rigidity and isn’t moving as freely as he did last year. I think I have seen him very briefly put his hands on his lower back after long or mazy runs several times (especially when tracking back to defend), doing a slight stretch that you have a tendency to do naturally when your lumbar muscles feel tight.

Yep, I've noticed him putting his hands in the small of his back. Think there's a few of them carrying knocks, Bernardo and Stones seem to be too.

 

[SebastianBlue]

Yep, I've noticed him putting his hands in the small of his back. Think there's a few of them carrying knocks, Bernardo and Stones seem to be too.

Agree. We seem to have a bit of a walking wounded complexion right now.

 

[kippaxchris]

I think he's carrying something, hasn't looked right for a while.

I did think his introduction helped us last night, our shape/balance seemed more secure despite his couple of brain farts.

He must be carrying something, he's been getting outpaced a lot recently & we all know that's not normal.